Gay Fathers [Hardcover]

Robert L. Barret (Author), Bryan Robinson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1990 | ISBN-10: 0669195146 | ISBN-13: 978-0669195149

Explores a group caught betwen the homosexual and heterosexual worlds

This greatly expanded edition of Gay Fathers contains a wealth of new real-life stories and up-to-date information that celebrates the power of gay fatherhood. Inspiring, definitive, scientifically researched, and experientially based, this thoroughly updated volume offers the most current data and concrete suggestions for dealing with the myriad and complex issues of gay parenting. Gay Fathers is the definitive resource for the more than one million gay fathers and their families and loved ones living in the United States and Canada.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Written from a therapeutic and academic perspective and filled with the insights of gay fathers themselves, as well as the authors (Bryan Robinson is a professor of child and family development, Robert Barret a professor and psychologist), Gay Fathers draws on new research to explain the difficulties that gay men face in parenting, and the ways in which their own feelings about their sexuality can affect their relationships with their children. Originally published 10 years ago, this newly revised volume should become a principal resource for social workers, counselors, clergy, and gay dads, offering affirming solutions to problems in step-parenting, the complexities of adoption, and the grief that some men may feel in losing parenting privileges as they leave their straight marriages and come out of the closet. Other topics include gay spirituality, relationships with ex-spouses and with nuclear family, and how to come out to your children. The book features practical, readable, sober advice as well as a call for scientifically sound, longitudinal studies of gay parents and their experiences. --Regina Marler --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"For gay men who have struggled to create a family in a world of bias and obstacles, this book is a wonderful tribute to the challenges and joys of parenting. Gay Fathers is a wonderful, honest tribute to fathers who have overcome all odds to make this world a better place for our children, an essential book for gay fathers and those who are considering parenthood." (C. Ray Drew, executive director, Family Pride Coalition)

"Gay Fathers, which was a wonderful contribution to the development of knowledge about gay men when it was first printed a decade ago, is even better in its new and revised form. Utilizing rich case examples, Bob Barret and Bryan Robinson give voice to a group that has for too long been ignored. In their examination of the many faces of gay fatherhood, the authors permit the reader to fully consider the complexity of what it means to be a gay father." (Gerald P. Mallon, assistant professor, Hunter College School of Social Work, New York) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Lexington Books (July 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0669195146
• ISBN-13: 978-0669195149
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,765,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering book on gay dads., May 17, 2009

By 

Steven "BookDads.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Fathers: Encouraging the Hearts of Gay Dads and Their Families (Paperback)

Gay Fathers: Encouraging the Hearts of Gay Dads and Their Families

First published in 1990, for many years Gay Fathers was the only book available on the topic of gay fatherhood. In keeping with the times in which it was published, i.e., before the Gayby Boom, its primary focus is on gay men who become fathers through heterosexual marriages. While it was slightly revised in 2000 with additional material to reflect the rise of adoption and other means of fatherhood, much of the material addressed by this book seems dated and irrelevant in these days of Out, Loud and Proud gay fatherhood.

Paradoxically, with gay men with children from previous heterosexual relationships now in the minority among gay fathers, this book has become a valuable resource for this relatively underserved group. With extensive material on issues such as disclosure, custody, separation and divorce, and dealing with wives and other family members, Gay Fathers has come full circle into relevance once again.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A little dated; a little disappointing., January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Gay Fathers: Encouraging the Hearts of Gay Dads and Their Families (Paperback)

Simply put, I was disappointed with the book. The material and examples of gay fatherhood seemed dated. The style was also troubling--the book was written from a therapist's perspective, and it was clearly meant for other mental health professionals (although not necessarily marketed as such). With that said, the only therapists who might benefit from reading it would be straight ones, who have had little or no experience treating gay patients (or gay parents). If you are a gay person considering parenthood, spend your money elsewhere.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent start in this topic area--we need more, October 9, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Fathers (Hardcover)

The book is now nearly 8 years old, but many of the anecdotes and much of the research is still relevant to those of us going through a divorce or parenting a child with an alternative lifestyle. The book includes excerpts from individuals with their personal experiences and their feelings, along with practice pointers for practitioners in the mental health field. It is an excellent resource for anyone going through a divorce as a result of the sexuality issue. However, I think that if the book were written today, the anecdotes would be more relevant to how our society is now dealing with gays and Dads who are gay. I think the book should also include a section stressing the fact that it is possible to have a perfectly normal relationship with your child as raising a child has little or nothing to do with the sexuality of the parent, as parents do not relate to children on a sexual level. There are thousands of gay dads out there that could use even more information such as this. I hope that Barrett will consider a follow-up or sequal that is current with our change in society regarding homosexuals and their contribution to society.